IYONIX pc: Difference between revisions
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In 2002, RISC OS seemed like it was disappearing forever. The only people being vocal about hardware development were [[Microdigital]], with their new [[Omega]] computer, which they claimed would be the first step towards a true [[32bit]] RISC OS, being able to use both a StrongARM processor and an XScale on a daughterboard. Many people had suspicions about the validity and feasibility of what Microdigital were trying to do, but they seemed to be the only people developing at the time. |
In 2002, RISC OS seemed like it was disappearing forever. The only people being vocal about hardware development were [[Microdigital]], with their new [[Omega]] computer, which they claimed would be the first step towards a true [[32bit]] RISC OS, being able to use both a StrongARM processor and an XScale on a daughterboard. Many people had suspicions about the validity and feasibility of what Microdigital were trying to do, but they seemed to be the only people developing at the time. |
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Then, in November, [[Castle Technology |
Then, in November, [[Castle Technology]] made an announcement that shocked the entire community: They had a fully 32bit desktop machine, running RISC OS 5, and it would be available for sale in a matter of weeks. True to their word, the IYONIX pc was launched on 1 December 2002, in time for the RISC OS Midlands Show, and was available to buy at the show and take home. |
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==Availability== |
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The IYONIX pc is available from [[IYONIX Ltd]], an off-shoot of [[Castle Technology]], as well as through several resellers such as [[CJE Micros]]. Prices for base systems range from £799 for a small case with no bundled software to £1099 for a full unit with 512MB RAM and DVD-RW drive. |
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==Target Audience== |
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The IYONIX pc is aimed at users wishing to upgrade from their older hardware to a faster RISC OS based machine. Unlike the [[A9home]] it is designed to fit in a standard PC case, and thus externally looks like a standard x86 PC. |
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==Specification== |
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===Internal=== |
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|Motherboard features |
|Motherboard features |
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|PCI Sockets (2x32bit, 2x64bit) |
|PCI Sockets (2x32bit, 2x64bit) |
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UDMA100 IDE sockets (2) |
UDMA100 IDE sockets (2) |
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DDR200 RAM socket (1) - Max 1GB |
DDR200 RAM socket (1) - Max 1GB |
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===Rear Connectors=== |
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|Other Features |
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|USB compatibility - Now supports USB2 |
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* 2x USB2 compatible ports (USB2 is available via a chargeable upgrade for users with early systems) |
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===Front Connectors=== |
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Vary according to model, but most include: |
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* 2x USB ports |
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* Mic, Headphone ports |
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* Power button |
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* Reset button |
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===Other features=== |
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* CDRW drive (or optional DVD-RW drive) |
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* RISC OS 5 supplied on Flash ROM |
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* Support for multiple graphics cards, providing dual-head display. |
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==Links== |
==Links== |
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* [http://www.iyonix.com/ IYONIX pc website] |
* [http://www.iyonix.com/ IYONIX pc website] |
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Revision as of 15:59, 6 February 2008
Background
In 2002, RISC OS seemed like it was disappearing forever. The only people being vocal about hardware development were Microdigital, with their new Omega computer, which they claimed would be the first step towards a true 32bit RISC OS, being able to use both a StrongARM processor and an XScale on a daughterboard. Many people had suspicions about the validity and feasibility of what Microdigital were trying to do, but they seemed to be the only people developing at the time.
Then, in November, Castle Technology made an announcement that shocked the entire community: They had a fully 32bit desktop machine, running RISC OS 5, and it would be available for sale in a matter of weeks. True to their word, the IYONIX pc was launched on 1 December 2002, in time for the RISC OS Midlands Show, and was available to buy at the show and take home.
Availability
The IYONIX pc is available from IYONIX Ltd, an off-shoot of Castle Technology, as well as through several resellers such as CJE Micros. Prices for base systems range from £799 for a small case with no bundled software to £1099 for a full unit with 512MB RAM and DVD-RW drive.
Target Audience
The IYONIX pc is aimed at users wishing to upgrade from their older hardware to a faster RISC OS based machine. Unlike the A9home it is designed to fit in a standard PC case, and thus externally looks like a standard x86 PC.
Specification
Internal
| Processor | Intel XScale 80231 clocked at 600MHz |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce 2MX PCI card until June 2006. Now supports newer 5200 and 6200 cards |
| Motherboard features | PCI Sockets (2x32bit, 2x64bit)
UDMA100 IDE sockets (2) DDR200 RAM socket (1) - Max 1GB Flash ROM - Allows software updating of the OS |
Rear Connectors
- On Board Audio - Mic, Headphone, Audio in
- Gigabit Network port
- Serial ports (2)
- Standard ATX power connector
- 2x USB2 compatible ports (USB2 is available via a chargeable upgrade for users with early systems)
Front Connectors
Vary according to model, but most include:
- 2x USB ports
- Mic, Headphone ports
- Power button
- Reset button
Other features
- CDRW drive (or optional DVD-RW drive)
- RISC OS 5 supplied on Flash ROM
- Support for multiple graphics cards, providing dual-head display.
